Legislative Update

Today is the deadline for passage of Senate bills in the House. As I write this, Rep. Maura Hirschauer is presenting HB676, an omnibus bill related to gun laws. The bill is a product of the House Firearms Safety Reform Working Group and covers several provisions:

Corrects a conflict to make clear that Firearms Restraining Orders are available in emergency proceedings in addition to all other proceedings
Creates a Task Force on Firearm Insurance to review public policy options relating to insuring firearms
Requires a Firearm Owners Identification Card to purchase or possess prepackaged explosive components such as tannerite
Removes the sunset on the First Time Weapon Offense Program, makes the program available to nonviolent individuals regardless of age (previously only for those under 21) and allows the program to be tailored to individual participants’ needs
Clarifies that prohibition of firearm ownership as a remedy for an emergency order of protection may be granted without notice to the respondent when exigent circumstances exist
Requires the court to issue a seizure order of any firearm in the possession of the respondent, to be kept by the local law enforcement agency for safekeeping until the expiration of the order of protection
Prevents those subjected to an order from being able to transfer firearms in their possession to another person to avoid seizure

Outrageously, the opponents of the bill spent much of their time arguing against the domestic violence provisions and the harm that would be done by having their weapons seized, going so far as to talk about a treasured gun getting rusty in storage. I rose to remind us all that we are talking about a survivor of domestic violence in imminent danger. As a survivor myself, my hands and voice were shaking as I called out the opponents who were so focused on protecting the rights of people found to be an immediate danger to their victims and their weapons instead of focusing on protecting the lives of vulnerable survivors: getting dead is worse than getting rusty. The bill passed with 70 votes in favor and 36 opposed.

With today’s deadline, ten of my bills are headed to the Governor’s desk with one awaiting a concurrence vote in the House before it can be sent. Two of my bills that passed the House remain pending in the Senate. We will continue to work to build support for HB1397 and HB3158 with the goal of passing the bills in the fall. Two other bills are still being negotiated and will continue to evolve: HB2046 to protect access to medication for chronic pain patients and HB2755 to ensure that victims of violent crime receive the same consideration as corporate victims of organized retail theft.

We are scheduled to complete our work next week, with ongoing budget negotiations as the most significant bit of unfinished work. Traditionally, our sessions have run the entire month of May, so the pressure to complete our work two weeks early is high. We return to session late Monday afternoon in order to allow members to attend the inauguration of the Mayor-elect and City Council.

I’m looking forward to getting home and spending time with the boys this weekend, and maybe getting some tomato plants in the ground. Am I the only one who uses Mothers Day as the official start of the gardening season? I wish everyone a very happy Mother's Day. For those for whom the day is complicated, I share my hope for peace and comfort.

Bills Passed in both Chambers

Dobbs Working Group Update

This week also brought another set of legislation from the Dobbs Working Group.

I carried a clean-up bill addressing drafting errors to the Patient And Provider Protection Act (SB1344), Rep. Terra Costa Howard passed SB1909 granting consumer protections to patients harmed by deceptive practices at fake clinics. This was by far the most controversial of our bills this week. An opponent of the bill who runs a crisis pregnancy center testified in committee that while her facility strictly provides pregnancy support and doesn’t employ deceptive tactics, she said she knows of others that would do “whatever it takes” to prevent a patient from accessing abortion care. The bill, which now heads to the Governor for his signature, would have no impact on legitimate pregnancy support organizations that do not lie or use deceptive practices. Rep. Ann Williams passed a bill (HB3326) that partnered with Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias to prevent data from Automated License Plate Readers from being used against patients seeking care in Illinois. Finally, Leader Barbara Hernadez passed her bill (SB1907) that will make Plan B emergency contraception available at state higher education facilities.

During the debate, one of my new colleagues, Rep. Gregg Johnson, rose to express support for SB1909 and shared a powerful story. In a deeply moving speech, he made clear that restrictions on abortion access impact everyone. Here’s a link to a transcription, but I encourage you to take the time to watch the speech here.

I also spoke during debate, pushing back on the outright lies being told by the opponents. Listen to my remarks here

Here we are in the chamber after passing the suite of bills (L to R: Rep. Dagmara Avelar, Rep. Kevin Olickal, Leader Lakesia Collins, Rep. Terra Costa Howard, me, Rep. Ann Williams, Rep. Margaret Croke, Rep. Mary Beth Canty, Leader Barbara Hernandez (honorary working groups members), and Rep. Lilian Jimenez. (Not pictured Rep. Anna Moeller).

Neighborhood Shoutout

Sullivan Tigers Soccer Team

Congratulations to Jimena Leyva and Natalia Moreno Garcia on their All-conference honors! These young ladies demonstrate what it means to be an excellent athlete, both on and off the field.

One Howard Street Survey

What’s your big idea for Howard Street? The One Howard Street Community Survey will help the One Howard Street Team understand how the community currently uses the street and develop a shared vision for its future. Take the survey to share your vision for Howard Street and enter for a chance to win a $25 gift card!

Survey is open until May 15 2023. To access the survey you can either scan the QR code above or click this link here.

Museum Pass

Rogers Park Township Property Tax Appeals

Rogers Park Township is now open for property tax appeals through the Cook County Assessor’s Office. The assessment of your home is one of the most important factors in determining how much you will pay in property taxes. The good news is that you can appeal your valuation and potentially lower your taxes.

Rogers Park Township encompasses the area of the 49th & 50th Wards that are north of Devon. The appeals period is open until May 25. You can file an appeal online at www.cookcountyassessor.com/online-appeals.

If your appeal is accepted, changes to your property's assessed value will be reflected in the second installment property tax bill you receive next year in 2024.

For any questions, please contact my office at (773) 784-2002 or contact Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita’s Office at (312) 603-6383.

Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth Newsletter Signup

In the District

The 40th Ward Big Shred Event

Charmers Cafe Spring Plant Sale

and Artisan Market

The Jarvis Square Artisan Market returns to Jarvis Square (Greenview and Jarvis) for another season!

Join charmers for a spring plant starting at 10a until they run out! Shop the finest quality ferns, herbs, pollinators, annuals, houseplants and more!

The market brings local arts and craft vendors to the Jarvis Square Alfresco area where they can showcase and sell their creations. The market also has live music and food for patrons to enjoy.

Edgewater Yard Sale

The Edgewater Yard and Sidewalk Sale will be Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 9am to 5pm. Shop over 200 household and business yard and sidewalk sales; you never know what treasures you will find!

Participating households and businesses will be found between Foster to Devon and Clark to Sheridan. Don’t miss out on this long-running Edgewater tradition. If you are a resident and wish to participate, please fill out the online form HERE.

The deadline to register is 5/26/2023 to be on the printed map. Registrations received between 5/27-6/2 will be included on the online map only. Please visit there Facebook page where you can share the event with interested neighbors.

30th Annual Artists of the Wall

The Loyola Park Advisory Council is pleased to share this year's 30th anniversary poster, designed by teen artist Maude Hovey-Bradshaw! You'll see this poster promoting the 30th annual Artists of the Wall Festival. Pre-order posters and t-shirts here!

REGISTRATION - Registration will open on May 1, 3, and 5 at 8AM at this link . Please only purchase one space per household. This year's event will be on June 17 and 18, 2023 from 9AM-3PM with music from 12-3 each day.

VOLUNTEER - Volunteer for AOTW and the Loyola Park Advisory Council by filing out this form.

SPONSOR - Join us as a sponsor before May 15 to be on promotional materials. Information here.

Important Loyola Park Dates

May 1 - Next LPAC meeting at the Loyola Park Fieldhouse at 6:30

May 20 - Loyola Dunes workday from 9:30am-12:30PM

June 3 - Join us from 10AM-12PM for It's Your Park Day!

Resources

Early Childhood Access Scholarship

LIHEAP Program

Until May 31, 2023, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will accept applications for its next cycle of utility-bill assistance. LIHEAP provides a one-time grant, per program year, with no payback required, based on a household's income and size. Homeowners, renters, and subsidized housing tenants are eligible to apply for assistance, and customers do not have to be behind on their bills to receive a grant.

For more information, to check eligibility, and to apply, residents of Cook County can call the LIHEAP hotline at 800-571-2332 or visit this website. You can also call our office at 773-784-2002.

Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

Funding Opportunity

Youth & Teen

Spring Blooms in the Park

The Chicago Park District offers an extensive array of programs for all ages this spring. You'll find a variety of in-person programming options along with our popular virtual programs. Get out and be active, or go online and be active - whatever you choose, we have you covered.

For more details please click here.